Feyenoord double strike seals win
Published on 25 november 12, 00:00
AZ could have taken the lead after three minutes when Jozy Altidore hammered the ball home but he was adjudged to have handled the ball by referee Kevin Blom. This turned out to be AZ's only real chance as they were generally outplayed.
Return of Pellè
Feyenoord were the stronger team on paper with former AZ striker Graziano Pellè in the side who caused problems on a couple of occasions. He soon got into action and created chances for Jean-Paul Boëtius and Tonny Vilhena whose efforts were both saved by Esteban.
Opportunities
AZ did come close to scoring in the first half when Feyenoord's Jordy Clasie almost scored an own goal by clipping the ball wide after a rare bout of AZ pressure in the Feyenoord area. Feyenoord's first real opportunity came just before half time when Ruben Schaken headed wide.
Deadlock
After the break, neither team created any real chances; it was the weather conditions that proved to be the main opponent. Although Verbeek's men were competitive for periods, they were unable to penetrate and test Feyenoord 'keeper Lamprou. Feyenoord, on the other hand, had a more laid back approach and looked ready to pounce at any moment.
Feyenoord lead
After an hour, Feyenoords patience was rewarded when Adam Maher lost the ball unnecessarily to a waiting Feyenoord pack. Pellè retrieved the ball and found Vilhena who broke free and fired the ball high into the net above Esteban.
Marcellis' Red
Although AZ tried to press, they were unable to find any real opportunities and things went from bad to worse when Dirk Marcellis was given his marching orders for an impestuous foul. AZ limped on with ten men and Feyenoord sealed the victory in the latter stages of the game when Schaken doubled the scoring making it 2-0.
Home form
Feyenoord's win resulted in AZ's third consecutive home defeat after the previous losses to NEC (0-2) and VVV-Venlo (1-2). AZ recorded their last points at the AFAS Stadium in draws against RKC Waalwijk (3-3) and sc Heerenveen (0-0). Their last home win spans back to 16th September against Roda JC (4-0). Next Sunday, AZ play away against FC Utrecht (14:30 hrs).
MATCH STATISTICS:
AZ - Feyenoord 0-2 (0-0)
Lineup AZ: Esteban; Dirk Marcellis, Etiënne Reijnen, Nick Viergever, Donny Gorter; Adam Maher, Markus Henriksen, Steven Berghuis (78. Celso Ortiz); Roy Beerens (78. Mikhail Rosheuvel), Jozy Altidore, Johann Berg Gudmundsson (71. Erik Falkenburg).
Lineup Feyenoord: Kostas Lamprou; Daryl Janmaat, Stefan de Vrij, Joris Mathijsen, Bruno Martins Indi; Jordy Clasie, Lex Immers, Tonny Vilhena; Ruben Schaken, Graziano Pellè, Jean-Paul Boëtius (87. Wesley Verhoek).
Goals: 66. Vilhena 0-1, 88. Schaken 0-2.
Bookings: Berghuis, Viergever, Maher (AZ), Mathijsen (Feyenoord)
Sent-offs: Marcellis (84th minute)
Referee: Kevin Blom
Attendance: 17.000